Diabolo type toy and retrieving device therefor



Aug. 29, 1967 R. H. OLSON 3,338,578

DIABOLO TYPE TOY AND RETRIEVING DEVICE THEREFOR Original Filed May 15, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 E "mil Aug. 29, 1967 R. H. OLSON 3,338,578

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I NVENTOR. W fl yaw United States Patent M 3,338,578 DIABOLO TYPE TOY AND RETRIEVING DEVICE THEREFOR Roy H. Olson, 83 S. Deere Park Drive, Highland Park, II]. 60035 Original application May 15, 1964, Ser. No. 367,647, new Patent No. 3,314,409, dated Apr. 18, 1967. Divided and this application Oct. 23, 1965, Ser. No. 503,576 6 Claims. (Cl. 273-96) This application is a division of my copending application Ser. No. 367,647, filed May 15, 1964, now Patent No. 3,314,409.

This invention relates, generally, to toys and more particularly to toys employing an object adapted to be rotated through the agency of a flexible member or cord held at each extremity by the user and projected into space.

The present period is often referred to as the space age. Beginning with the stories of flying saucers, and continuing up to the present time when significant developments have. been made in the fields of rocketry, launching of satellites, globe circling astronauts, etc., children of today are particularly fascinated by toys which .bear relationship to these fields of space activity. Thus, the present invention is concerned with the provision of a toy which may be rotated at a relatively high speed, projected into space from a launching pad and recovered from space intact for repeated projection.

To sustain the interest of a child in a toy, particularly of the type to which the present invention relates, it is essential that the satisfactory functioning of the toy require skill and dexterity on the part of the youngster. For many years, children have spun tops by the use of a string manually applied to the top in such a manner that the top could be tossed toward a surface, such as a smooth floor surface, and subjected to rotation. This procedure required a certain amount of skill and, in fact, a youngster with sufficient abilities could actually toss the top into the air and catch it in his hand while still spinning, before the top would touch the ground. Later,

in the .development of toys, a spinning device known in the trade as a diabolo, was brought on the market. This consisted of a member in the shape of an hourglass which could be rotated by a string or cord held at each extremity by the user. After the hourglass structure had been subjected to sufficient rotation, it could be tossed into space and recaptivated by the actuating cord held by the user.

The present invention is concerned with a toy device including a space element which may be rotated at high speeds by a cord or string held at opposite extremities by the child, and which embodies significant structural and functional advantages over the toys referred to above, as well as other toys on the market with which I am familiar.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel device for retrieving a rotatable space element or object in operative association with a flexible actuating member or cord employed to impart rotation to said space element.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages will be more apparent from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toy device of the type contemplated by the present invention to illustrate the manner in which said toy may be manipulated by a user;

FIG. 2 illustrates the manner in which the user of the aforesaid toy device may retrieve the rotating toy memher or object from space;

3,338,578 Patented Aug. 29, 1967 FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the launching pad and rotatable space object supported thereby;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view of the rotatable space member or object taken substantially along the line 5--5 of FIG. 4 to illustrate the soundproducing slots which serve to induce a sound indication when a predetermined speed of rotation is attained;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3 with portions broken away to show the structure of the shaft shifting mechanism of a launching pad device of modified form;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary plan view of the structure shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of the leaf spring mechanism incorporated in the launching pad device of FIGS. 6 and 7, said view being taken substantially along the line 8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary central cross-sectional view of the central portion of one form of rotatable space member;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the hub assembly parts of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary central sectional view of a rotatable space member equipped with a modified hub arrangement of simplified form; and

FIG. 12, discloses the device for imparting rotation to the space member and the retrieving net associated therewith.

Referring now to the drawings more in detail, wherein like numerals have been employed to designate similar parts throughout the various figures, it will be seen that the toy device of the present invention consists primarily of three parts; namely, a rotatable member or object designated generally by the numeral 12, a combined actuating and retrieving device 14, and a launching pad device identified by the numeral 16 in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4. FIGS. 6 and 7 disclose a launching pad device of modified form designated by the numeral 16a.

The rotatable space member or object 12 preferably includes a pair of disc-like members or plates 18 and a central hub 20 (FIGS. 6, 7 and 11). The plates 18 may be secured to the opposite sides of the hub 20 by an adhesive or other suitable fastening means. The plates 18 may be formed from inexpensive light weight sheet material such as paper, plastic, or even light weight thin gauge sheet metal. It is desirable to have the periphery of the disc-like members or plates 18 rounded as shown more clearly in FIG. 11, to counteract the hazard of the user being injured if struck by the disc during its gravitation downwardly.

The hub 20 may be of extremely simple construction as shown in FIGS. 3, 6 and 11. In these forms, the hub 20 consists of a single hub element 20 having a central aperture 22. The opposed sides of the hub 20, as previously mentioned, may be adhesively secured to the com plementary disc-like members 18 or such fastening may alsoconsist of conventional fastener brads or the like.

In FIGS. 9 and 10 another form of hub assembly is shown which consists of a central hub mem'ber 20a, clamping members or discs 24-26 and four fastening screws 28. The hub member 20a has a central aperture 22a and is formed with equally spaced apertures 30 to accommodate complementary aligning lugs 32. The clamping member 26 is also provided with equally spaced lug accommodating apertures 34 which are adapted to register with the hub apertures 30. The discs 18 are also provided with apertures to receive the lugs 32. When the members 2011, 24, 26 and the discs 18 have been assembled so as to occupy the positions shown in FIG. 9, the screws 28 are then applied to secure all of said parts together as a unit.

3 It will be noted that the members 24 and 26 as well as the discs 18 are provided with central apertures which register with the hub aperture 22a.

The hub arrangement shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 makes it very convenient to replace one or both of the disc members 18 in the event of breakage or fracture. Such a construction lends itself for use in kits containing parts sold in disassembled form.

The device 14 for imparting rotation to the member 12 is shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 12. This device includes a pair of actuating rods or sticks 36 connected at their extremities by a flexible actuating member or cord 38. The opposite extremities of the actuating rods 36 have a retrieving net 40 extending therebetween. The cord 36 is used to impart rotation to the disc-like space member 12 by a reciprocating movement as has heretofore been used to impart rotation to conventional diabolo tops. If desired, the peripheral surfaces of the hub members 20-20a may be roughened to increase frictional engagement therewith of the actuating cord 38. After the space member or top 12 has been tossed into space, the retrieving member or net 40' is used to catch the top, as shown in FIG. 2. Normally the conventional diabolo top is retrieved from space by use of the cord alone. However, a rotatable space member such as the toy member 12, having relatively adjacently positioned disc-like members 18, requires increased skill to retrieve the top 12 from space by the use of the cord 38 alone. The retrieving net is therefore provided to facilitate retrievement of the top at least until the user has acquired sufiicient skill to retrieve the top by the use of the actuating cord alone. Also, when the top is tossed high into space the ease with which it may be retrieved by merely the use of the actuating cord is materially reduced. The opposite margins of the net 40 are slidably mounted upon their respective handles. When the handles 36 are being used to impart reciprocation to the cord 38, the net 40 may be compressed so as to occupy the space indicated by the bracket A in FIG. 12. When employed for retrieving the toy member, the net may be expanded to occupy the space indicated by the bracket B, FIG. 12. i

In order for the space member or top 12 to attain the desired gyroscopic balance as it sails through space, it should be rotating at relatively high speeds. This is difficult to accomplish by merely reciprocating the actuating cord as has heretofore been practiced in the use of conventional diabolo tops. Hence the present invention contemplates the use of the launching pad device 16 shown in FIG. 3 and the modified form of launching pad 16a shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

Referring to FIG. 3 it will be seen that the launching device or pad 16 comprises a base portion 42 adapted to rest upon a floor or the surface of the ground. Extending upwardly from the base 42 are a pair of support frame members 44 and 46. These frame members are secured in a fixed position upon the base 42 in any suitable manner and are separated sufficiently to accommodate the space member 12 as shown in FIG. 3. A horizontally disposed, reciprocable pin 48 serves to rotatably support the member 12 when the pin occupies the position shown in FIG. 3. The pin is slidable within complementary apertures located at the upper extremities of the frame members or standards 44-46.

Movement of the pin 48 is controlled through the agency of a bell crank 50 and a foot actuated lever 52. The crank 50 is pivotally supported at 54. A lower and relatively short arm 56 is adapted to be engaged by the underside of the left extremity of the lever or foot pedal 52 as viewed in FIG. 3, said pedal being mounted on an intermediate pivot support 58. Pressure exerted on the foot pedal 52 by the users foot, so as to cause it to tilt in a counterclockwise direction will cause the longer arm 60 of the bell crank 50 to be shifted from the solid to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 3. In this manner the pin 48 is shifted sufiiciently to release the space member 12 for reasons later to be set forth.

In FIG. 4 it will be noted that the upper end of the bell crank arm 60 is bifurcated to receive the extremity of the pin 48. Protuberances 62 carried by the pin 48 serve to couple said pin 48 and the actuating bell crank arm 60. A leaf spring 64 yieldably resists shifting of the arm 60 to the right (FIG. 5) and serves to urge said arm to the left when pressure of the foot pedal or lever 52 is released.

As previously stated, it is important to impart rotation to the member 12 at relatively high speeds before tossing or projecting it into space. This is accomplished by first mounting the member 12 upon the supporting pin 48. Before doing so, however, the actuating cord 38 should first be positioned between the discs 18 of the rotatable space member 12. The operator then places one foot on the pedal 52 as shown in FIG. 1. By engaging the cord 38 with the periphery of the hub, the space member 12 may be subjected to a relatively high speed of rotation. When the desired speed of rotation is attained, the operator presses downwardly upon the forward end of the pedal so as to withdraw the pin 48 from association with the space member 12. At this point the member 12 may be tossed or projected into space. After the member 12 has reached the limit of its upward projection and gravitates downwardly, the net 40 may be used to retrieve it as shown in FIG. 2. Of course, after skill has been developed by the opterator or user, it may be possible to catch the member 12 on the cord. However, due to the proximity of the discs 18, some difficulty may be experienced in such a maneuver particularly in instances where the member or top 12 is tossed relatively high into space.

It may be advantageous in some instances to provide the discs 18 with struck out portions 66, FIGS. 4 and 5, which will produce a whistling sound when certain speeds of rotation of the member are attained. In addition to producing a pleasing sound to a child operator, it also serves to audibly indicate when a rotary speed has been obtained which warrants projection of the member 12 into space; namely, a speed which will assure gyroscopic balance. Such balance enables the operator better to control the direction of projection of the member and thus lends considerable interest and fascination in its use. It will be noted that the outer periphery of the discs 18 are flared somewhat to facilitate reception of the toy by the cord 38.

In FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 a slightly modified launching pad device 16a is shown. Structural features or parts of the device 16a which are functionally similar to corresponding parts of the device 16 are given like numerals with the suffix (a). The main structural distinction between the device 16a and the device 16 is incorporated in the mechanism for controlling the movement of the pin 48a. The launching device 16a employs a coil spring 68 which acts between a bracket 70 on the frame 46a and an enlar gement or head 72 on the pin 48a. This spring 68 will shift the pin 48a to the dotted position of FIG. 6, providing a latch strip 74 is shifted downwardly to clear an abutment collar 76 carried by the pin 48a. The latch strip 74 is guided in its vertical shifting by a guide member 75. Downward shifting of the latch strip 74 is occasioned by tilting the foot pedal 52a against a lateral projection 78 (FIG. 6) at the lower extremity of the latch strip 74. To reset the pin 48a to its normal toy supporting position it is only necessary to press the head or knob to the left and then release pressure on the foot pedal. A leaf spring 80 will urge the latch strip upwardly, as shown in FIG. 6, into pin locking position.

From the foregoing, it should be apparent that the present invention contemplates a toy which is of such a nature as to sustain the interest of a user. While it requires a certain degree of dexterity and skill to be developed by the user, such requirements are not beyond the capabilities of a normal child. In fact, as previously pointed out in the introductory portion of this specification, the exercise and development of ones skills and talents in the use of a toy is most important in initially stimulating and subsequently sustaining interest in its use. With astronauts circling the earth and plans for mans exploration of the moon underway, the toy envisioned by this invention is most timely.

The toy device of the present invention contemplates its use by one person or by several. When more than one person enters into its use, one party may project the toy members into space and the other serve as a retriever of the toy member from space. The rotary toy members or space objects may be brilliantly and attractively colored and readily replaced when needed, at an extremely low cost. In fact, the entire toy device may be produced at minimum manufacturing costs and thus made available at prices well within the reach of a wide range of potential purchasers. I

Changes and modifications in structure may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. A toy device of the type described including a rotatable toy member of the diabolo type, means for imparting rotation to said toy member comprising a flexible actuating cord means, manually operable means at each end of said actuating cord means providing a pair of elongated handles for imparting reciprocation to said cord means, and toy retrieving means associated with said manually operable handles, said retrieving means being separate from said cord means and disposed between and along said handles to form a pocket for catching the toy as it gravitates downwardly.

2. A toy device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the retrieving means comprises a flexible net which provides a toy retrieving pocket, the flexibility of said net being suflicient to permit free manipulation of said handles to impart rotation to said toy member.

3. A toy device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the retrieving means comprises flexible material which is shiftable along the elongated handles to facilitate manipulation of said handles for their intended purpose.

4. A toy device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the flexible actuating cord means extends between the handles at one end and the flexible retrieving means extends between the opposite ends of the handles.

5. A toy device of the type set forth in claim 1 wherein the rotatable toy member includes a pair of closely adjacently spaced disc-like members having a centrally positioned hub portion of relatively small diameter.

6. A toy device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the toy member includes closely adjacently spaced disc-like surfaces which flare away from each other along the outer peripheral margins thereof to facilitate reception between the actuating cord means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 179,377 6/ 1876 Weber 4661 934,615 9/ 1909 Ireland et al. 273-96 1,419,402 6/ 1922 Mosher 4661 2,201,802 5/1940 Steiner 273-96 2,835,494 5/1958 Hull 27396 FOREIGN PATENTS 22,984 1907 Great Britain.

ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner. DELBERT B. LOWE, Examiner.

M. R. PAGE, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A TOY DEVICE OF THE TYPE DESCRIBED INCLUDING A ROTATABLE TOY MEMBER OF THE DIABOLO TYPE, MEANS FOR IMPARTING ROTATION TO SAID TOY MEMBER COMPRISING A FLEXIBLE ACTUATING CORD MEANS, MANUALLY OPERABLE MEANS AT EACH END OF SAID ACTUATING CORD MEANS PROVIDING A PAIR OF ELONGATED HANDLES FOR IMPARTING RECIPROCATION TO SAID CORD MEANS, AND TOY RETRIEVING MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID MANUALLY OPERABLE HANDLES, SAID RETRIEVING MEANS BEING SEPARATE FROM SAID CORD MEANS AND DISPOSED BETWEEN AND ALONG SAID HANDLES TO FORM A POCKET FOR CATCHING THE TOY AS IT GRAVITATES DOWNWARDLY. 